Having COPD may put you at risk for lung cancer and heart disease, among other conditions. Know what you can do to protect yourself.

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Most people know lung cancer is a serious consequence of smoking. Fewer people, however, know the connection between lung cancer and a condition not necessarily related to lighting up — COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It's a serious lung condition and a key risk factor for lung cancer. In fact, 40 to 70 percent of people with lung cancer also have COPD, even if they have never smoked a cigarette.

"Over the last 30 years, several epidemiological studies have shown that COPD is the single most important risk factor for lung cancer," notes Brian W. Carlin, MD, a pulmonologist in Pittsburgh and chairman of the COPD Alliance, which provides clinicians and patients with information about COPD. "Recent studies suggest that the genetic risk factors that predispose smokers to COPD may overlap with those that predispose smokers to lung cancer. A majority of patients with lung cancer have underlying, but often undiagnosed, COPD."

Understanding COPD and Lung Cancer

Generally speaking, COPD arises when airflow through the lungs becomes compromised, leading to progressive shortness of breath. This can happen for a variety of reasons, including too much mucus in the airways, and loss of elasticity in the airways and air sacs.

According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, COPD affects more than 12 million Americans, and many others may not even know they have it.

COPD is most often found in people who are middle-aged or older. As the condition progresses, it can affect your ability to perform daily activities such as cooking and caring for yourself.

Lung cancer — both the small-cell and non-small-cell types — is usually diagnosed at an advanced stage, making it one of the most deadly forms of cancer. Treatment varies by type and stage but may include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation.

Part of the dilemma for doctors is the significant overlap between COPD symptoms and lung cancer symptoms. "Patients with both lung cancer and COPD often have cough and/or shortness of breath, the latter with exertion," says Dr. Carlin. "Repeated episodes of pneumonia or bronchitis can be seen with either disease."

Lung cancer does have some additional symptoms, such as coughing up blood, lack of appetite, and weight loss. Hoarseness, arm or chest wall pain, and swelling in the neck or face are other possible signs of the cancer.

COPD and Other Conditions

Health concerns for people with COPD symptoms span beyond lung cancer alone. COPD now ranks as one of the leading causes of death in the United States, according to Byron Thomashow, MD, a clinical professor of medicine at the Columbia University Medical Center in New York and member of the COPD Foundation, and Bill Clark, director of outreach programs and founder of the COPD Information Line of the COPD Foundation in Miami. They both add, however, that most of these deaths appear related to other conditions people have in addition to COPD — cardiovascular disease and lung cancer in particular — which makes it important to screen for these conditions too.

Other problems shown to affect people with COPD include arthritis, sinus disease, hypertension, diabetes, sleep apnea, depression, and osteoporosis.

Smoking Dangers, COPD, and Lung Cancer

The most important thing to remember is that COPD and lung cancer are both dangers of smoking — and quitting is key. If you haven't developed significant impairment or disability from COPD, you may be able to prevent more serious consequences if you stop smoking now, Carlin says.

Early detection of COPD is also crucial. The COPD Alliance offers a set of five questions to help you determine whether you're at risk. If you suspect you have COPD, talk to your doctor right away.

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